Although Madonna was denied in her attempt to adopt an “orphan” by an Malawian judge, she immediately announced plans to throw a fundraiser for the country in an obvious attempt to influence her appeal. Well, so much for that. Turns out the father of 3-year old Mercy James, James Kambewa, didn’t even know his daughter was alive until Madonna made her headline news. Now the father wants to bring the child back home and support her. Thanks, Madonna! People reports:

Now a security guard, Kambewa says he learned the girl’s mother, 15-year-old Mwandida Maunde, had died – and assumed their child was dead too. “Now that I know [Mercy] is alive I am willing to support her,” Kambewa says. He and Maunde were both high school students when they conceived the child. “Her parents were furious that I had messed up their daughter. They caused hell for me so I left town,” says Kambewa.

Man, what a touching story. Let’s all hope that little Mercy James is safely reunited with her father and that Dorothy’s house lands on Madonna. Oh heavens, how I love happy endings so! Guilty as charged!